Title III. Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care

Title III. Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care

The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients. And beneficiaries in rural America will benefit as the Act enhances access to health care services in underserved areas.

The Act takes important steps to make sure that we can keep the commitment of Medicare for the next generation of seniors by ending massive overpayments to insurance companies that cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars per year. As the numbers of Americans without insurance falls, the Act saves taxpayer dollars by keeping people healthier before they join the program and reducing Medicare’s need to pay to hospitals to care for the uninsured. And to make sure that the quality of care for seniors drives all of our decisions, a group of doctors and health care experts, not Members of Congress, will be tasked with coming up with their best ideas to improve quality and reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare is a sacred trust with America’s seniors, and this Act preserves it.

"When I saw my first hospital bill, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Thanks to Medicare, the bills have been very small, and totally manageable." Carol wrote in a letter to the President. "Thank G-d, I am in remission now."

On the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, we celebrate all that these programs have done to improve the lives of millions of Americans -- and we also celebrate the ongoing efforts to strengthen these health programs, as well as to build on them by bringing affordable, quality health coverage to all Americans.